Rakshasa Spellcaster

Rakshasa Characteristics

Rakshasa posses humanoid bodies, but are covered in luxurious tiger's fur, and have a tiger's head. Rakshasa are from a noble lineage of extra planar creatures, and most commonly garb themselves in fine clothing suitable for beings of their station. When dealing with other humanoids, Rakshasa rarely appear in their true forms, but rather take the shape of a more common humanoid so they can assess their prey at their leisure. The only other feature to note of the Rakshasa is the palms of their hands are switched with the backs of their hands, appearing unnerving to most.

History

Rakshasa are known to be of extra-planar origin, although how they first came to reside on the mortal coil, and from what plane they came from is unknown to all except the Rakshasa themselves, and they are not prone to divulging secrets to lessers. These malevolent creatures have appeared most frequently in small pockets around various eastern continents, seemingly drawn to the mystic arts practiced there. A particular gruesome and unsubstantiated tale of how these beings are created revolves around the kidnapping of mortal children. It is said that a cabal of Rakshasa have been known to descend upon unsuspecting hamlets and kidnap all of the children found within in a matter of minutes. The children are then taken to a previously chosen location far away from any hope of rescue, and pitted against each other in moral combat. The child that survives earns the honor to be transformed into one of their kind. Their professions range from black market traders, extortionists, terrorists, serial killers and corrupt court officials, almost always under the guise of someone else, for their appearance is quite distinctive and almost all know to be weary of the powerful Rakshasa.

Culture

The ecology of this race of evil beings seems to be organized on equal grounds. In only the rarest cases does one Rakshasa lead one or more others, and even those situation tend to be temporary. Rakshasa seek to gain as much for themselves and their race by taking from others, be it through crooked business, skullduggery or magical manipulation. While Rakshasa can fight hand to hand on open ground, they are loathe to do so, finding such things to be uncivilized. Instead they prefer to defeat enemies through strategic manipulation or magical combat. While these dangerous tricksters hold no particular loyalty to each other, they are a prideful race, and will often aid other Rakshasa in danger to avoid sullying the reputation of their bizarre species.